For ambitious students looking to get into a top college, here’s some advice: colleges notice when students pursue less-trodden paths and truly commit to them.
While many high school students gravitate toward core subjects like biology, chemistry or U.S. history, far fewer pursue art history with the same seriousness. That matters. Immersive experiences such as summer courses, museum courses or research tracks show admissions officers that you’re not just checking a box; you’re demonstrating real intellectual passion.
The numbers tell the story. In 2023, only 24,624 students took the AP Art History exam, compared with 239,470 in AP Biology and 467,975 in AP U.S. History (College Board data). This relative scarcity means that a strong commitment to art history, especially through selective programs, stands out all the more in college applications.
What makes art history distinctive is its breadth: students might study Renaissance art from art historians, analyze the symbolism of medieval art or explore how modern art and architecture reshaped cultural movements such as modernism. Others will explore how Islamic art and artists intersect with world history or how Western art and artists influenced literature, philosophy and religious contexts. At the same time, programs may introduce students to avant-garde movements, showing how painting and other forms challenged tradition.
These experiences are often enriched by museum lectures, whether in a city classroom setting or at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum, and they help students understand how art connects objects to broader cultural forces.
Summer is the perfect season to demonstrate your passion in curatorial studies. Unlike the school year, summer is fully student-directed. Colleges often see how you use it as a reflection of your determination, curiosity and follow-through. Website: summer.harvard.edu
A recent survey of Pioneer Academics alumni found that students admitted to top 20 universities typically pursued just three to four extracurriculars across all of high school. Not the longest resume, but the most intentional. Summer programs and research opportunities were among the most impactful because they offered college-level rigor and visible evidence of depth. Many programs also organize site visits to museums or art galleries, where high school students explore collections and participate in discussions that connect fieldwork to coursework.
Summer opportunities in the humanities come in two forms. University-based courses let students earn credit and demonstrate they can excel in demanding academic environments. Truly college-level research programs emphasize independent inquiry, culminating in projects that mimic undergraduate scholarship. Both pathways cultivate the intellectual maturity colleges want to see, though each highlights a different strength.
Some sessions run two weeks, others last three or even four weeks. Whatever the length, students explore advanced topics, participate in seminars and strengthen their ability to think independently. Selective programs may even offer full scholarships, making them accessible to talented students regardless of financial background.
The most effective art history summer program is one that balances readiness with challenge. For some students, immersion in a college classroom offers the first taste of rigorous academic culture. For others, mentored research projects become a showcase of independent initiative. Whatever the track, the chance to explore deeply, participate fully and connect classroom study with site visits makes these experiences stand out on applications.
Along the way, students gain practical exposure too. Internships in art galleries or museum programs give a hands-on dimension that complements classroom study. Together, these academic and experiential opportunities develop the intellectual maturity that admissions officers value. In addition, programs often include case studies and fieldwork that connect theory to real-world practice.
Start early. Many programs fill up by spring, so mark deadlines and plan ahead.
Show your passion in applications. Highlight a favorite painting, museum visit or lecture that inspired you. Admissions officers want to see how you connect art to your own life.
Explore options. Decide if you prefer academic courses, independent research or practical experiences like museum internships. Programs with workshops or site visits often provide hands-on exposure to artists and curators.
Seek funding. Many selective programs offer scholarships or aid, so don’t assume cost is a barrier.
Reflect afterward. Keep notes on projects, site visits and readings. When you can clearly explain what you learned, you show maturity and the ability to understand how art connects to history and culture.
The following sections highlight the most prestigious art history and humanities summer programs available today, chosen for their rigor, selectivity and proven impact on college admissions. This serves as both an introduction to your options and a roadmap for how you might further develop your academic profile.
Harvard SSP is one of the most recognizable world-class pre-college options available. Humanities electives, including art history electives, immerse students in subjects like Renaissance art, global cultural movements and visual storytelling. Coursework is taught by Harvard faculty and frequent guest lecturers, providing high schoolers with intensive exposure to how elite university courses unfold. Participants develop their analytical skills by participating and engaging in close study, writing and discussions, just like undergrads. The program is an introduction to a world of possibilities, helping students emerge much more confident as aspiring scholars in the arts.
For foreign students, the ability to study remotely or in residence makes this both flexible and prestigious. Among summer programs, few signal academic ambition as clearly as Harvard SSP.
Format: On-campus or online Yale courses with undergraduates.
Yale Summer Session invites students to explore art and humanities alongside undergraduates. Studio courses in painting, drawing, graphic design, sculpture and printmaking are offered by the Yale School of Art, providing hands-on practice and critical exploration of visual form.
These classes are often small and workshop-based, allowing students to develop technical skills and creative insight under the guidance of artists and faculty. Seminar-style courses such as art history, global cultural context or Renaissance studies include lectures and close readings that help students understand the deeper narratives behind artistic movements. It’s a rare chance to study art and studio practice in the world-class environment of Yale.
Stanford SHI is one of the most prestigious humanities programs for high schoolers. Students live on campus and engage in faculty-led seminars that mimic the rigor of university study. While the program does not confer credit, it emphasizes research, deep reading and thought-provoking discussions.
Each student produces a substantial project, demonstrating advanced critical thinking and writing. The selectivity and Stanford branding make this program stand out strongly in admissions, especially for humanities-focused applicants. For art history students, exploring the themes of culture, aesthetics and intellectual history is particularly valuable preparation.
Pioneer Academics is the only fully accredited online research institute for high school students. In the Art History focus area, students work with premier university faculty to design and execute an original research paper that meets college standards. Topic development can be multidisciplinary, combining Art History with other trends or subjects. With oversight from Oberlin College, this institute is the gold standard of high school research programs. Admissions officers respect Pioneer because it highlights initiative, scholarly depth and independence.
It’s especially valuable for foreign students, offering rigorous research experience without travel. Completing Pioneer signals an ability to work at the level of undergraduates, making it a top-tier pre-college credential.
The Spelman Early College Program is one of the few summer programs dedicated to African American art history and curatorial practice. Students are taught classes at Spelman College, a leading HBCU, while working directly with the Atlanta University Center Art History and Curatorial Studies Collective and the High Museum of Art.
This combination of rigorous coursework and real-world curatorial exposure gives students an uncommon edge in the humanities. For those aiming to stand out in selective college admissions, Spelman College demonstrates both subject mastery and cultural engagement at an institution respected for shaping future scholars of African American artworks.
Sotheby’s Summer Institute offers students rare access to the global art world through immersive courses in New York City. Participants explore art history, museum studies and the art market while learning from experts affiliated with Sotheby’s.
While the program does not award college credit, the prestige of the Sotheby’s name and its location in the heart of the art world make it highly respected in arts and humanities circles. For students building a portfolio in art history or museum studies, the program signals authentic commitment and cultural sophistication that admissions officers recognize as beyond the ordinary classroom experience.
Penn Pre-College offers students direct access to Ivy League classes. With art history courses ranging from archaeology to modern visual culture, participants gain deep exposure to Penn’s academic resources. Students are graded identically to undergraduates, producing a transcript that admissions officers view as rigorous proof of readiness.
Although less famous than Harvard SSP or Stanford SHI, the Penn program carries significant weight, particularly for students aiming at top universities. Its combination of selectivity, Ivy-level challenge and subject breadth makes it one of the strongest pre-college options in the humanities.
Cornell Precollege Studies is well-regarded for offering authentic college-level coursework. Students can enroll in courses like “Introduction to the Classical World in 24 Objects” that combine art, architecture, history and critical analysis. The Cornell transcript demonstrates rigor, while shorter sessions give flexibility for summer scheduling.
Though it is less selective than Pioneer or Stanford SHI, Cornell’s Ivy reputation ensures the program is respected in admissions. Students who succeed in these writing- and discussion-heavy classes show the intellectual preparation needed for competitive colleges, particularly those with strong humanities programs.
UCLA SCIP blends rigorous coursework with enrichment workshops on college readiness. Students typically take two UCLA courses, often in the humanities or social sciences, and receive transcripted credit. With access to faculty and Los Angeles’ museums, including the Getty and LACMA, the program offers both academic and cultural immersion.
While not as prestigious as Ivy programs, UCLA is internationally respected and strong performance in these courses can significantly bolster applications. The program is ideal for students interested in combining high-level academics with the cultural opportunities of Los Angeles.
UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars offers motivated students access to one of the world’s top public universities. Participants take demanding courses for credit, graded to the same standards as Berkeley undergraduates. Art history offerings benefit from Berkeley’s faculty expertise and Bay Area museum resources.
While less famous in pre-college circles than Harvard SSP, Berkeley’s name recognition is strong globally. Admissions officers know that earning credit here requires advanced study skills. For international students, Berkeley’s program is an attractive way to demonstrate readiness for U.S. college academics while living in a top university environment.
The High Museum of Art Teen Team is a selective, yearlong opportunity where students work closely with museum staff to plan teen-focused events, lead community engagement and gain hands-on experience in museum operations. The summer intensive provides concentrated exposure, while the year-round component emphasizes leadership, teamwork and long-term commitment.
Although the program does not award academic credit, the combination of prestige, real-world curatorial work and paid participation makes it one of the most respected museum-based experiences for high schoolers. For students pursuing art history or curatorial studies, Teen Team demonstrates initiative, cultural literacy and authentic engagement that admissions officers recognize as rare and valuable.
Based on a survey about extracurricular activities performance results from Pioneer’s alumni, 71 percent were admitted to the top 20 U.S. colleges and universities. Six percent of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated programs in the summer.
If you’re interested in conducting the highest level of research for high school students, consider joining a Pioneer information session to learn more about the Pioneer Research Institute.
If you are a 9th or 10th grader, the Global Problem-Solving Institute is worth exploring. It’ll give you a chance to tackle real-world challenges in an interdisciplinary approach, while earning college credit from UNC-Chapel Hill and impressive accomplishment early in your academic journey.
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